Fest planner: Pride Fest, Green Music Fest, Chicago Craft Beer Fest

Bust out the rainbow flags! It's time for Pride Fest. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago…)

June 17, 2013|By Kate Bernot, @kbernot, RedEye | RedEye

This weekend is pretty much the quintessential snapshot of Chicago summer fests: You've got the rainbows, neon and barely-clothed partiers of Pride Fest, the jams of Green Music Fest and the, well, beer of Chicago Craft Beer Fest. New this year is the separation of Pride Fest (June 22-23) and the Pride Parade (June 30), so remember that Halsted Street won't welcome the carnival of floats until next weekend. Now rally your friends and hit the streets—and don't forget to take some photos to remember it all. kbernot@tribune.com @redeyeeatdrink

Mini-detours: Keep the earthy vibe going with brunch at Birchwood Kitchen (2211 North Ave.), a bright, cozy cafe with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. Vegetarians can check out the mushroom tacos at Antique Taco (1360 N. Milwaukee Ave.) or the totally meat-free menu at Native Foods Cafe (1484 N. Milwaukee Ave.).

Mini-detours: All that beer drinking inevitably will lead to some snacking, so head to Old Town Pour House (1419 N. Wells St.) for bar food and burgers, or to La Fournette (1547 N. Wells St.) for some of the best French-style bread (plus crepes and sandwiches) in the city.

Don't miss: One week before the Pride Parade, this celebration of Chicago's gay and lesbian communities takes over Boystown with plenty of food, drinks, arts and crafts and high-energy performances. Two stages will host entertainers such as Jessica Sutta of the Pussycat Dolls (4:30 Saturday), Blu Cantrell (6:30 Saturday) and drag shows throughout the day Saturday. Of course, the outfits and all-day partying of Pride Fest always are their own show.

Mini-detours: If it's been a while since you've visited Boystown, check out some of the new faces on the main strip: Replay (3439 N. Halsted St.), an arcade and beer bar, has taken over the former Bucks Saloon and Sidetrack's MainBar (3349 N. Halsted St.) has undergone a facelift. Got the late-night munchies? Grab some to-go Belgian-style frites from Backwoods (3335 N. Halsted St., enter on Buckingham Place) beginning at 10 p.m.